(19)

(11)

EP 0 959 869 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 01.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/48 (21) Application number: 96941449.0 (22) Date of filing: 21.11.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 5/ 0488( . ) A61J 15/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/018777 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/019667 (05.06.1997 Gazette 1997/24)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU NL PT SE (30) Priority: 28.11.1995 US 19950563323 (71) Applicant: Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-3500 (US)	(72) Inventors: TOMBA, Todd, C. Powell, OH 43065 (US) HAYES, James, P. Columbia, OH 43232 (US) LEVY, Howard Albuquerque, NM 87112 (US) (74) Representative: Modiano, Guido, Dr.-Ing., et al  Modiano, Josif, Pisanty & Staub, Baaderstrasse 3 80469 München 80469 München (DE)